The original program for Ontario’s Credit Valley Hospital, Cancer Care Centre had set the bar quite high for the project, as it was intended "to be the finest hospital in Canada in the hearts and minds of the people we serve." According to the Architects, transforming these words into reality required a deeply thoughtful response to the “individual's physical, emotional and spiritual needs.”

CVH’s goal was to reimagine what a hospital should be: an extraordinary place whose look and feel matched their vision. The resulting design (conceived as a clearing in the forest) conveys in every respect the message that “you are in good hands.” Sheltering tree-shaped forms combine with natural materials and daylight to give a spiritual dimension to the space. The centre is also the Ontario’s first fully integrated cancer care facility combining ambulatory clinics and cancer treatment.

“The bold design was embraced immediately as a logical extension of our vision and values,” says Credit Valley Hospital’s CEO Wayne Fyffe, “The board got it and instantly saw that this was the right thing to do. An anonymous, steel-columned box would contradict our values and turn our vision into empty words.”A steel-columned, rectilinear lobby would also not provide the life-affirming sense of hope and animation. There is a powerful attraction to this design that draws patients, staff and visitors who gather to share their thoughts and talk through emotional issues. Its function goes far beyond the standard requirement for circulation and waiting areas. CVH’s lobby thus reflects a vital new role of the hospital as a place that fosters learning and understanding. Three additional sky-light lanterns located above the radiation therapy waiting areas provide maximum daylight penetration.

Natural elements such as running water, tropical fish, and live foliage serve to complement the quality of care. Places of quiet refuge draw on the warmth of fireplaces. These cozy home-like nooks bring something familiar and comforting from everyday life. Outside is Canada’s first Cancer Survivor’s Park.

The architects adopted non-conventional systems for fire suppression. The project employs the Hi-Fog mist system – the first health care application in Canada. The mist heads are concealed in custom designed light standards at the base of each tree and together with infrared detection technology the system successfully meets fire compliance ratings while providing an environmentally friendly alternative to ozone depleting chemical agents.

In 2007, two years after its completion, an expert panel selected by the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE) in the UK had selected the Credit Valley Hospital as the Best International Design at the ninth annual Building Better Healthcare Awards (BBHA) program. The award recognized “an outstanding project that contributes to new thinking and influences the UK’s future experience of delivering healthcare in the 21st century.”Project credits and details: